tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
P95 A single-centre retrospective study of the association between subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus and malignancy
Authors: Eimear Duff, Eimear Gilhooley, Finbar O’Shea, Bairbre Wynne
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2023)

Abstract Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) is a rare photosensitive dermatosis that has been classically categorized as idiopathic or drug-induced. A proliferation of case reports and small case series support the hypothesis that the presentation of new-onset idiopathic SCLE can be a facultative paraneoplastic phenomenon. There remains a lack of consensus regarding the investigations that this dermatosis should initiate, and in which patients. The aims were to investigate the proportion of patients with biopsy-consistent SCLE who had an underlying malignancy, and to analyse the demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics associated with this. We conducted a histopathology database word search of skin biopsy reports from 1995 to 2021. We performed a retrospective chart review of electronic and paper records and analysed demographic, clinical and laboratory data of patients with possible SCLE. This study received full ethical approval from the relevant local research ethics committee. Of 64 patients initially identified, 35 had SCLE following clinicopathological correlation and had sufficient data available for inclusion. In this cohort, a total of 16 (46%) patients had a malignancy, either preceding or following SCLE diagnosis. In eight (23%) patients, malignancy was diagnosed within 1 year of SCLE onset. SCLE was considered drug induced in 14 (40%) of cases. Eleven (31%) cases were considered to be idiopathic; of these, five (45%) were subsequently diagnosed with malignancy. Malignancies subsequent to the diagnosis of idiopathic SCLE all occurred in women (aged 66–74 years). There were no significant differences in the autoantibody profiles between patients with malignancy and the overall SCLE cohort. Malignancies were detected, on average, 41 days (range 11–74) after the diagnosis of SCLE. Subtypes of cancer diagnosed post-SCLE were lung (n = 4, all current or ex-smokers) and colorectal (n = 1, a never smoker). In four of these cases, investigation for malignancy was specifically advised by dermatology. This is the first reported retrospective study to explore the under-recognized association between SCLE and malignancy. Clinicians should be aware of the potential paraneoplastic nature of SCLE, especially in the context of risk factors such as smoking history and an older age profile.
P60 Intralesional steroids vs. liquid nitrogen cryotherapy vs. 595 nm pulsed dye laser in the management of chest keloids: a comparative study
Authors: K C Shekhar, Aditi Mishra, Elisha Shrestha, Namrata Pradhan, Dharmendra Karn
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2023)

Abstract Chest keloids often result in cosmetic disfigurement, contractures, pruritus and pain. Inflammatory truncal acne often triggers chest keloid. Management is often challenging as they are relatively resistant to treatment and recurrence rates are high. The objective of the study was to compare the clinical efficacy and safety of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide (40 mg mL−1) vs. liquid nitrogen cryotherapy vs. 595 nm pulsed dye laser in the management of chest keloids. We conducted a comparative prospective study in a total of 42 patients with chest keloids from July 2021 to July 2022. These patients were randomly divided into three treatment groups via the envelope method. The Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) was used to assess the clinical efficacy of the treatment modality. Patients were scored at the initiation of therapy and every 4 weeks until 16 weeks. Seven patients were lost to follow-up (response rate 83%). Treatment arms consisted of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide (n = 10), liquid nitrogen cryotherapy (n = 11) and pulsed dye laser (n = 14). There was a near-equal sex distribution of chest keloids (male-to-female ratio 1.21 : 1), with 15 patients (35.7%) having additional keloids in other body parts. The mean (SD) age of patients with chest keloids was 27.2 (13.6) years with a common incidence in those aged 20–30 years. Comparison of mean VSS as baseline and at 16 weeks revealed a statistically significant decrease in the score in all three treatment arms (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Comparison between the three different treatment arms revealed pulsed dye laser to be the most effective modality in decreasing VSS at the 16-week follow-up (Anova followed by post hoc analysis with Tukey’s test). With regard to the adverse clinical event profile, acneiform eruptions were reported following steroid injections, blistering and depigmentation were reported following liquid nitrogen cryotherapy, and blistering was reported following pulsed dye laser therapy. Thus, the pulsed dye laser (595 nm) appears to be a safe and efficacious treatment modality in the management of chest keloids.
P71 Dupilumab improves patient-reported itch and other signs and symptoms of disease in adults with prurigo nodularis (LIBERTY-PN PRIME and PRIME2)
Authors: Shawn G Kwatra, Gil Yosipovitch, Sonja Ständer, Isabelle Guillemin, Jérôme Msihid, Simmi Wiggins, Noah A Levit, Robert McDonald, Ashish Bansal, John T O’Malley, Donia Bahloul, Ryan B Thomas
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2023)

Abstract Prurigo nodularis (PN) is characterized by the presence of itchy nodules on the trunk/extremities and is often accompanied by skin pain and sleep disruption. Patient needs are highest regarding symptom control and improvement of itch, which is one of the main hallmarks of PN. Using pooled blinded data from two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III trials of dupilumab in adults with PN uncontrolled on topical therapies, LIBERTY-PN PRIME (NCT04183335) and PRIME2 (NCT04202679), the psychometric validation and within-patient meaningful change thresholds for three patient-reported outcome (PRO) instruments of the trial were assessed in patients with PN: Worst Itch Numerical Rating Scale (WI-NRS), Skin Pain-NRS and Sleep-NRS. The proportion of patients achieving clinically meaningful improvement in these PRO scores in LIBERTY-PN PRIME and PRIME2 was investigated in this post hoc analysis. Adults with PN inadequately controlled on topical prescription therapies, or when those therapies were not advisable, were randomized 1 : 1 to dupilumab 300 mg every 2 weeks or matched placebo. Here, we report the proportion of patients meeting a defined improvement threshold in weekly averages from baseline to week 24 of ≥ 4 points in WI-NRS, ≥ 4 points in Skin Pain-NRS and ≥ 2 points in Sleep-NRS (within-patient meaningful improvement thresholds defined in the context of the LIBERTY-PN PRIME and PRIME2 studies, range 0–10), and the proportion of patients who achieved a new composite endpoint, meaningful improvement in WI-NRS and either Skin Pain-NRS or Sleep-NRS at week 24. A total of 311 patients were randomized (dupilumab, n = 153; placebo, n = 158). Baseline scores for WI-NRS, Skin Pain-NRS and Sleep-NRS were balanced between treatment groups. Significantly more patients treated with dupilumab vs. placebo achieved in-­patient meaningful improvement in WI-NRS (58.8% vs. 19.0%; P &amp;lt; 0.001), Skin Pain-NRS (49.7% vs. 20.9%; P &amp;lt; 0.001) and Sleep-NRS (42.5% vs. 23.4%; P &amp;lt; 0.001) from baseline to week 24. More patients treated with dupilumab experienced clinically meaningful improvement in WI-NRS and either Skin Pain-NRS or Sleep-NRS vs. placebo (53.6% vs. 18.4%; P &amp;lt; 0.001). Adults with PN uncontrolled on topical therapies treated with dupilumab achieved statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in itch, skin pain and sleep quality individually, and in itch combined with either skin pain or sleep. The safety profile of dupilumab was consistent with the known safety profile in its approved indications. Funding sources: research sponsored by Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.
DE07 Enhancing social media engagement for <i>Clinical and Experimental Dermatology</i>: the educational journal of the British Association of Dermatologists: a quality improvement project
Authors: Danning Li, Maria Charalambides, Chandn Patel, Emelie Hutton, Alexa Shipman
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2023)

Abstract Social media is an efficient method for direct communication between a journal, clinicians and patients. Increased social media engagement also increases the impact factor of medical journals (O’Kelly F, Nason GJ, Manecksha RP et al. The effect of social media (#SoMe) on journal impact factor and parental awareness in paediatric urology. J Pediatr Urol 2017; 13:513). The aim of this quality improvement project was to assess the impact of three interventions on social media success (defined as reach, engagement or follower count) of the Clinical and Experimental Dermatology Instagram page (@ced_journal), founded in July 2020. Impact on reach, engagement and follower count was investigated after each intervention cycle. Cycle 1 (April–June 2022) investigated the impact of a checkerboard grid design to increase visual appeal, standardized journal branding and a consistent posting schedule. User analytics revealed a large proportion of Middle Eastern followers, and, therefore, cycle 2 (July–October 2022) used non-English hashtags to target these audiences. Cycle 3 (November–December 2022) investigated the boost in engagement through encouraging authors who had recently published in the journal to post their publication on their personal accounts and tag the journal. Qualitative data were gathered from the Meta Business Suite and directly from the Instagram page. Data were analysed using GraphPad. Cycle 1 resulted in mean increases in content reach by 568% (P &amp;lt; 0.001), unique profile visits by 281% (P = 0.014) and number of new followers by 642% (P = 0.188). Cycle 2 demonstrated a mean increase in the number of new followers by 194% (P = 0.025) but did not significantly increase the reach (P = 0.414) or number of new profile visits (P = 0.410). There was no significant increase in reach (P = 0.229), unique profile visits (P = 0.055) or number of new followers (P = 0.397) in cycle 3. This study demonstrates improvements in social media success following cycles 1 and 2. Cycle 3 results emphasize the importance of novel interventions in further varying content to maintain and further increase engagement, as well as studying additional factors that influence engagement, such as standardized journal branding across all social media platforms. Overall, this study emphasizes the effectiveness of innovative and interactive education resources for disseminating dermatology research among scientific and nonscientific users, which can be adopted by other dermatology journals.
GD02 (P46) A step towards zero leprosy: experiences of Nepal in leprosy data verification
Authors: Rabindra Baskota, Rashmi Baral
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2023)

Abstract Records and reports are the sources of data for health programme planning, monitoring and evaluation. Accurate and timely data are crucial to ensure quality leprosy services, including drug supply, complication management and disability prevention. Data verification and validation are the initial steps to achieve the global goal of zero leprosy. The objectives of leprosy data verification were to strengthen the reporting system, to update personal health records and to provide on-site training to leprosy focal persons. Leprosy data verification was conducted in 15 endemic districts of Nepal by a team of national leprosy programme managers, leprosy focal persons, statisticians, dermatologists, paramedic health workers and World Health Organization consultants. The team visited health facilities that provide leprosy services and their corresponding municipalities from August 2021 to December 2021. The team examined the completeness and accuracy of data and information on the patient card, treatment register and monthly reporting form. Data were then compared with the municipal and national database, edited, cleaned and verified for duplications, and on-site coaching was provided to the leprosy focal persons. Verification of 1210 health records of 15 districts from four provinces was conducted. The number of new leprosy cases was found to be under-reported by 5.5%. Likewise, under-reporting was observed in released-from-treatment cases (19.2% variation) and transfer-out cases (21.4% variation). Over-reporting was observed in re-treatment cases (7% variation), defaulter cases (10.6% variation) and new paediatric cases (38% variation). Common reasons for data variation were error in counting while reporting, error in compiling data from health facilities and lack of training of focal persons in data recording and reporting. A limitation of the data verification study was that it was conducted in the selected 15 endemic districts and municipalities only. The study suggested that verification, validation and on-site coaching are effective approaches to obtaining quality data on leprosy. Such programmes can be conducted routinely or even during the integrated monitoring and supervision visits of experts from the centre to the local health facilities but should be carried out at the data entry site.
P41 An emerging role of interferon targeted therapy for the treatment of cutaneous systemic lupus erythematosus: a prospective real-world evaluation of anifrolumab for refractory cutaneous lupus
Authors: Lucy Carter, Zoe Wigston, Philip Laws, Edward Vital
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2023)

Abstract Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE), particularly discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), is frequently unresponsive to standard therapies, including antimalarial and immunosuppressive therapies. Recent evidence has identified the importance of type-1 interferon (IFN-1) in the pathogenesis of disease. Anifrolumab is a monoclonal antibody that targets IFN-1 and has been licensed for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It is unclear which clinical subtypes of CLE are associated with an IFN-1 signature and may be responsive to anifrolumab therapy. We sought to evaluate the efficacy of anifrolumab on (i) DLE and (ii) rituximab-refractory CLE and (iii) to compare IFN-specific biomarkers and (iv) early and late immunophenotypic and clinical responses. Anifrolumab was available through an early access to medicines scheme. Patients with SLE for whom the phenotype was predominantly cutaneous were treated with anifrolumab 300 mg intravenously every 4 weeks. The Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index (CLASI) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) were reported. Seven patients were identified (five with DLE, one with chilblain and one with subacute CLE were enrolled). All patients were female (median age 46 years; median disease duration 17 years). The median number of failed therapies was six: rituximab in six, belimumab in two and thalidomide in four patients. Four patients required long-term oral prednisolone &amp;gt; 10 mg daily. The median baseline CLASI activity score was 17 and DLQI was 16/30. The median CLASI score reduced after 4 weeks to 6 (range 0–13; P = 0.016) with a median decrease from baseline of 60% (range 19–100%), which was maintained at 6 months. Clinical responses were associated with significant improvements in DLQI (P &amp;lt; 0.001) and the EQ-5D visual analogue scale (P = 0.002) by 3 months. All patients had a marked suppression of IFN-stimulated genes at 4 weeks (mean difference 2.92; P &amp;lt; 0.01). Treatment was generally well tolerated with the exception of one patient who had shingles complicated by sensorineural hearing loss while on anifrolumab and prednisolone &amp;gt; 15 mg daily. This required prolonged aciclovir for effective management. This case series highlights the potential role for anifrolumab in managing treatment-resistant CLE with particular responses observed in DLE and chilblain lupus. The need for enhanced awareness of viral infections, particularly varicella-zoster virus, needs to be considered in higher-risk patients.
BI13 (P99) Skin disease in people living with HIV in the UK: a retrospective analysis
Authors: Jamie McCluskey, Louis Hickling, Collins Iwuji, David Chandler
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2023)

Abstract The spectrum of skin disease associated with advanced HIV infection is well described and can vary between countries, potentially as a result of genetic differences and access to antiretroviral treatment (ART). Effective ART has modified the skin manifestations of HIV in the modern era. The aim of this study was to characterize the profile of skin disease in a UK-based population of people living with HIV (PLHIV). A retrospective review of inpatient admission records was conducted for all patients admitted to a tertiary hospital between June 2020 and October 2022. Data were collected using a standardized data extraction form in Microsoft Excel. Descriptive analysis was undertaken within Excel. Ninety-seven patients were identified (median age 55 years), of whom 82 (85%) were male. Median duration of HIV infection was 15 years [interquartile range (IQR) 8.66–19.58], with a median duration on ART of 9 years (IQR 3–16). Fourteen patients were ART naïve and were diagnosed as being HIV positive on admission. Median CD4 count at presentation was 351 × 106 cells L–1 (IQR 136–579). Fifty-five patients presented with a single dermatological condition, 30 presented with two and 10 presented with three. Of the conditions identified, 48% were skin infections, 18% were skin tumours, 10% were inflammatory dermatoses and 2.8% were drug reactions. In the remaining 21%, the diagnosis was unknown; this included rashes (44%), skin lesions (33%) and ulcers (22%). The most common dermatological condition identified was cellulitis (n = 18; 19%). Of the infections seen, 46% were primary bacterial infections, 27% were primary viral infections, 22% were primary fungal, 3% were primary parasitic and 1% were systemic bacterial infection with skin involvement. Ten per cent of patients presented with Kaposi sarcoma, an AIDS-defining illness. Of the 97 patients, 27% presented with advanced HIV (CD4 &amp;lt; 200 × 106 cells L–1). The most common conditions in this group were oral candidiasis (30%), cellulitis (15%), seborrhoeic dermatitis (15%) and Kaposi sarcoma (15%). Bacterial skin infections were the most common dermatological conditions overall, while oral candidiasis was the most common condition in those with advanced HIV. The causes of almost one-quarter of dermatological presentations were unknown during inpatient admission, highlighting the importance of expert dermatological input. Further work is needed to validate these findings in a larger population of PLHIV, including those managed in an outpatient setting.
PD06 Efficacy of dupilumab in chronic actinic dermatitis
Authors: Marese O’Reilly, Alexandra Paolino, Amr Salam, Pirunthan Pathmarajah, John Ferguson, Robert S Dawe, Robert Sarkany, Catherine S Smith, Andrew E Pink, Hiva Fassihi, Sally Ibbotson
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2023)

Abstract Chronic actinic dermatitis (CAD) is characterized by a photoexposed site dermatitis in association with objective evidence of photosensitivity, often arising on a background of atopic dermatitis (AD). Dupilumab is a monoclonal antibody that inhibits signalling of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 and is licensed for the management of moderate-to-severe AD. To date, nine case reports have suggested that dupilumab can be clinically effective for CAD, yet only five cases had diagnostic baseline phototesting and only two cases could demonstrate objective improvement in photosensitivity on repeat testing. We report a retrospective case series from two UK photobiology units of 11 patients with concomitant AD and CAD treated with dupilumab. Inclusion criteria included baseline phototesting with an irradiation monochromator device confirming a diagnosis of CAD &amp;lt; 3 years prior to starting dupilumab, phototesting repeated after at least 16 weeks on dupilumab and all patients included were refractory or intolerant to at least one other systemic therapy prior to dupilumab. Eleven patients [82% male, median age 40 years (range 21–59) at diagnosis] of skin phototypes I–V were included. All patients had a pre-existing diagnosis of AD before the onset of CAD, and two patients also had a pre-existing diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis. The average duration of dupilumab therapy prior to repeat phototesting was 15 months (range 4–44). Ten of 11 (91%) patients reported improvement in their AD in terms of both rash and pruritus. Five of 11 patients (45%) reported partial improvement in their subjective photosensitivity of whom two showed ultraviolet B monochromator improvement (3- to 6-fold). Six of 11 (55%) patients reported no clinical change in photosensitivity of whom two showed no improvement or worsening on phototesting; while four showed improvements, they remained in the severely photosensitive range on phototesting. While dupilumab is an effective therapy for moderate-to-severe AD, its potential benefit in managing CAD is more difficult to measure. In 91% of patients with CAD, dupilumab was associated with improvement in AD, while clinical or objective improvement in photosensitivity occurred in 82%, albeit sometimes only to a slight degree. However, these data suggest that, for patients with CAD and concomitant AD, reducing the eczematous response is beneficial and that dupilumab is a treatment worth exploring for this patient cohort for whom other treatment options are limited. Prospective studies of dupilumab in CAD are required to further evaluate its utility in this therapeutically challenging condition.